June 27, 2022, 2:25pm
As per usual, indie bookstores remain a beacon of hope in this country. After Friday’s devastating decision overturning Roe v. Wade, many feminist/social-justice-oriented bookshops became a sanctuary for those grieving across the country—particularly in states with trigger laws in place. Some set up special displays, putting books about abortion rights and reproductive justice at the front of the store; many have always been dedicated to putting that knowledge into readers’ hands.
Check out this Publishers Weekly article about bookstores fighting the good fight. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so feel free to add more in the comments.
Zenith Bookstore (Duluth, MN)
Zenith Bookstore donated 10 percent of this past week’s sales to Pro-Choice Minnesota.
Women and Children First (Chicago, IL)
This feminist bookstore has partnered with the Chicago Abortion Fund and closed early on Friday so its employees could protest.
Charis Bookstore (Decatur, GA)
Charis is the south’s oldest indie feminist bookstore. They regularly act as a safe haven to the community and do what they can to make information about how to have a safe and healthy abortion accessible.
Bluestockings (New York, NY)
This cooperative is New York’s only queer, trans, and sex-worker run bookstore; they put together this very helpful resource list in the wake of the decision.
Katonah Reading Room (Westchester, NY)
The Katonah Reading Room matched donations directed to women’s health and reproductive rights; raised $40,000(!) this weekend.
Second Star to the Right (Denver, CO)
Second Star to the Right will donate 5 percent of sales to Planned Parenthood for a month; shop up!
A Room of One’s Own (Madison, WI)
The booksellers at A Room of One’s Own created a free zine: Accessible Abortion Forever: Resources for Folks After 6/24/2022; they’ll also email you the file for free if you want to make copies and distribute it wherever you are!
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Also, in case you want some recommended reading on reproductive justice here are a few titles that have been in high demand over the weekend:
Robin Marty, New Handbook for a Post-Roe America
Ann Fessler, The Girls Who Went Away
Lauren Rankin, Bodies on the Line
Laura Kaplan, The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service
Katie Watson, Scarlet A: The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Ordinary Abortion
Bessel Van Der Kolk, The Body Keeps Score
[h/t Publishers Weekly]